San Jose, CA -- San Jose Earthquakes defender Troy Dayak will be unable to complete his final Major League Soccer season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

Dayak, who announced several weeks back this will be his final year in MLS, tore his ACL during Saturday's scoreless draw against FC Dallas at Spartan Stadium. He will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury, prematurely cutting short a solid playing career that began in 1996 with San Jose.

"I am disappointed that I won't be able to finish out this season with the team," Dayak said. "I hope that I can remain a positive influence for the team this year in whatever capacity that I am needed in. I think that we have a good team and they are going to have a strong finish to this season."

The California native is the second Earthquakes defender to tear his knee in the past two weeks. Craig Waibel was lost for the season when he tore ligaments in his right knee during practice last week.

Dayak started all seven games for San Jose this season. The 34-year-old defender even scored a rare goal on April 9 against CD Chivas USA. San Jose is third in the Western Division with just one loss in its seven games.

The former youth national star was not the only casualty Saturday night on the field at Spartan Stadium. FC Dallas midfielder Richard Mulrooney suffered a similar injury to Dayak and was also lost for the remainder of the campaign.

"I am very saddened to hear the results of Troy's MRI," Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "He has been a great player for this organization and this league throughout his career. His injury is a tough blow for Troy personally as well as for the team."

Next season Dayak will be facing a new challenge as coach of the California Cougars of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Dayak, who joined San Jose during its inaugural season in Major League Soccer back in 1996, is in his eighth season with the club. He has played in 133 games for San Jose, despite spending two years out of MLS playing for the A- League's Bay Area Seals while trying to recover from a bulging disc in his neck.